A POLITICIAN has stepped down as a candidate for the Welsh Assembly for health reasons.

But Ronnie Hughes, 62, who would have stood as the Labour candidate for the Aberconwy seat at May’s election, says he will continue to fulfil his role as Conwy County Council’s business manager.

Cllr Hughes suffered a serious heart attack in December and has since had surgery.

He says he is recovering well but will be obeying doctors’ orders not to overdo things for the time being.

“The doctors have said I should take things easy for the next few weeks. I had a stent fitted a fortnight ago and am feeling much better but I had to make a decision whether or not to stand at the election,” he told the Weekly News.

“I felt I couldn’t leave it any longer and sat down and talked to Liz (my wife) and decided that it might not be a good idea to be involved in canvassing.

“I stood for the Parliamentary seat at the General Election and realised then how hard canvassing is, and I don’t think it would be fair to my colleagues in the party to expect them to do all the work on my behalf.

“I don’t think it would be fair to my constituents if I couldn’t give it 100%,” he added.

He explained that the heart attack which almost cost him his life had come as a shock, but he was well enough to continue as a member of the council’s cabinet.

“All my colleagues on the council have been very supportive and I feel I still have a part to play.

“I’m very grateful for all the letters, cards and messages I’ve received. People have been incredible,” he said.

A spokesman for the Welsh Labour Party said: “Everyone in Welsh Labour is disappointed that health concerns have forced Ronnie Hughes to step down as candidate.

“Ronnie is a really popular person in the constituency and fought a great campaign in the General Election, but we know his health must come first and we wish him well in his recovery.

“The local party will conduct a streamlined selection process, and Aberconwy members will pick a new candidate from a shortlist after a hustings event on Sunday.”

Last month Independent Jason Weyman, who is also a Conwy county councillor, announced he was standing down as a candidate for the seat, saying he felt he couldn’t compete with the resources available to the major parties.